One of the first festivals in a worldwide scale to explore the affinities between podcasts and cinema, the Podcast Section of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, which has been crowned with great success, becoming an integral part of the Festival programme, is back in action. In this year’s edition, for the entire 10-day duration of the Festival, from October 31st to November 10th 2024, listeners from all over Greece and abroad will be able to listen freely to the 27 podcasts of the 64th TIFF, celebrating their world premiere, at the Festival’s website (www.filmfestival.gr).
Personal testimonies both heart-wrenching and exciting, historical documents that come to light, recountings on iconic art and culture personalities, issues of women’s emancipation and gender-based oppression, tales for children, sci-fi stories that introduce us to distant worlds, podcasts of journalistic and sociological research, folklore traditions, customs and practices that resurface through unique sound journeys, take part in the Podcast section of the 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
A total of 10 podcasts take part in the Podcast Competition of the 65th TIFF, setting their eyes on the Best Podcast Award, accompanied by a 2,000-euro cash prize. The members of this year’s Podcast Competition jury are: Maria Markouli (journalist, writer, radio producer), Yannis Nenes (journalist, radio producer), and Gregoris Rentis (film director, producer). In addition, another 17 podcasts, 16 Greek-speaking and one English-speaking, take part in the Podcast:Nexus Section of this year’s Festival.
In collaboration with the ENS Louis Lumière and the French Institute of Greece, the participants in the two Podcast sections of the 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival and the 27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival (March 16-26, 2025), aged 25-35, are eligible for the ENS Louis Lumière-French Institute of Greece Award for Upcoming Audio Documentary Creator. The recipient of this award will have the chance to attend the six-week Sound Documentary International Summer Programme hosted by ENS Louis Lumière in the summer of 2025, addressed to young and upcoming professionals of the audiovisual field (creators of blogs, podcasts or any other audio project).
Let’s take a glance at all the podcasts taking part at the 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival:
Podcast Competition
A Story Told by the Mountains
Podcasters: MASH (Christos Kapenis & Katerina Anastasiou). Παραγωγή: MASH (Christos Kapenis & Katerina Anastasiou). Script: Yorgis Partalidis, Christos Kapenis, Katerina Anastasiou. Sound engineering-Original music: MASH. Sound editing: Katerina Anastasiou. Narration: Yorgis Partalidis, Katerina Anastasiou (an extract from the newscast of BEST TV is heard). Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 22΄
Every day during sunset, mountains tell each other a story of two scientists and two mountains that fell in love. A tale of fiction, with a poetic nature, inspired by the myth of two mountains that wept and a river born from their tears.
Friends in Liminal Spaces
Podcaster: Anastasia Sotiropoulos. Script-Sound engineering-Sound editing-Narration: Anastasia Sotiropoulos. Language: English. USA, 2024, 30΄
In this story about connection outside the bounds of physical space, time, and life experience, an unlikely friendship buds during uncertain times.
Melaina Melaina
Podcaster: Stella N. Christou. Script-Sound engineering-Sound editing-Original music-Narration: Stella N. Christou. Language: Greek. Cyprus-Greece, 2024, 30΄
Passing from Melaina Demeter’s myth to a song of songs, in Askas, Cyprus, three widows born in the 1930s, and a nun, are acting in a false life full of hardships. Through the narrations, which are passing over the female model; each woman of the area acts as a non-gender woman or anti—gynaika.
Music on the Move
Podcaster: Savannah Fortis. Production: Savannah Fortis. Script-Sound engineering-Sound editing-Narration: Savannah Fortis. Original music: (MOTM theme song) Daphne Farazi. Language: English. USA-Greece, 2024, 30΄
Music on the Move is an experimental podcast that uses sound and music to understand the world around us. In this episode, we stumble upon a Georgian mountain village where everyone sings to re-enforce their identity.
Outcasts - It’s OK to be goth in Veria
Podcaster: Christos Georgoudakis. Production: istorima. Script: Christos Georgoudakis. Sound engineering-Sound editing: Spyros Lymperopoulos. Narration: Katerina Koutsampasopoulou. Sound design: Giorgos Ramantanis. Cover design: Efrosini Drakouli. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 29΄
The first episode of Outcasts explores Katerina’s search for a safe haven while battling eating disorders and conservatism. Growing up in rural Greece, she gradually loses her childhood confidence facing obstacles at every turn she makes. Unexpectedly, she will find refuge just a few miles from home.
Rainbow Seniors
Podcaster: Iliana Danezi. Production: Laika Productions. Script: Iliana Danezi. Sound engineering: Yannis Christodoulatos. Sound editing: Aris Agathos. Artwork: Olga Mavromati. Sound design: Dimitris Miyakis. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 23΄
The “Elders of Iris” known as “Rainbow Seniors” are an Association - an antidote to the social isolation, loneliness and difficulties experienced by LGBTQ+ middle-aged and older people. Its members tell the story of its creation and what they are trying to achieve through their participation in it.
Scripted/Unscripted
Podcasters: Hind Anabtawi, Nadia Tabbara. Production: Creative Media Solutions, Hind Anabtawi. Script-Narration: Nadia Tabbara. Sound engineering: Mohamed Aser. Sound editing: Hind Anabtawi, Zeyad Gabr. Language: English. United Arab Emirates-Jordan-Lebanon, 2024, 24΄
In this episode of Scripted/Unscripted, Nadia confronts the question “what's the point?” amid personal and global turmoil. She reflects on how writing serves as a tool for emotional expression, resistance, and connection, highlighting its power to humanize the dehumanized and find purpose even during the darkest moments.
Sonodeze
Podcasters: Tasos Theofilatos, Irene Ioannou Papaneofytou. Script: Irene Ioannou Papaneofytou. Sound editing-Original music: Tasos Theofilatos. Vocals-Singing: Nefeli Benou, Maria Gkioni. Violin: Alexis Voutouris. Narration: Dimitra Karagiorgou. Voice performers: Penelope Markopoulou, Tasos, Theofilatos. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 30΄
Sonodeze is the endless summer. It is a dive into memory lane of a girl who seeks to connect with her roots and come of age without ceasing to see the world as a magical place where anything can happen. As long as you are not afraid to be a part of it all.
The Childhood Years (that) I Didn’t Live
Podcaster: Maya Filippopoulou. Production: istorima. Script-Sound editing: Maya Filippopoulou. Sound engineering: Dimitris Papadakis, Thanasis Gkikas, Enes Ahmet Kehaya. Narration: Rinio Missiou. Research-Interview: Dimitris Kolovos, Fenia Chala. Sound design: Iasonas Theofanou. Music: Epidemic Sound. Photo: Giorgos Kapsalis. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 28΄
During the years of the Civil War, the father of a little girl joined the rebels and her mother was sent to exile. She stayed behind alone with her brother and grew up “like a stray”. The childhood (not) lived by Renio Missiou is a gripping story of survival in a time of extreme hatred and violence.
The Lazy Club
Podcasters: Marilou Vomvolou, Kostas Vomvolos, Flora Fousteri. Production: Lotus Eaters. Script-Sound engineering-Narration: Marilou Vomvolou. Sound editing-Original music: Kostas Vomvolos. Cover design: Flora Fousteri. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 22΄
The coming-of-age story of a girl in a future era where people are divided into “upgraded” and “non-upgraded”, intertwined with interview excerpts from members of a touring troupe, raising questions about social imperatives, marginalization, and freedom. The interviews were conducted during a tour in Kos, Lemnos and Florina (July 2024).
Podcast: Nexus Section
Artificial Intelligence Narrates: Cinematic Prophecies of Sophia the Robot
Podcaster: Maria Chatzigianni. Production: Local Stage & Victorious Network, Maria Chatzigianni. Script-Sound editing: Maria Chatzigianni. Sound engineering: Victorious Network. Narration: Maria Chatzigianni, Andriana Manetta. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 20΄
Can a robot understand human art? In this podcast, Sophia, the most advanced AI robot, guides us on a journey where artificial intelligence becomes the director. Discover how Sofia perceives the art of cinema and how the future of technology will redefine cinema as we know it.
Beyond the Title
Podcaster: Marina Katsarou. Production: Marina Katsarou. Script-Sound engineering-Narration-Cover design: Marina Katsarou. Sound editing: Spyros Emmanouilidis. Music: Yako Trio. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 30΄
The audio documentary Beyond the Τitle observes and reports the impact of the pandemic on digital and media communication. Residents of Thessaloniki belonging to the 25-35 age group and expert communicators, psychologists and journalists shared their insights on the covid era, the omnipresent social media, digital literacy and misinformation.
Cyprus in Winter
Podcaster: Dannis Koromilas. Production: Rockaway Films, Dannis Koromilas. Sound engineering: Natalie Sherman. Sound editing: Katie Ann Butt. Original music: Konstantine Arnokouros, Uroš Raičković, Steve Kilbey. Language: English. Canada, 2024, 30΄
Cyprus in Winter is an original podcast that explores the first 14 years of the Cyprus nation, from its birth in 1960 to the Turkish Military Invasion of July 1974.
Koi no yokan
Podcaster: Katerina Giannisi. Script: The texts derive from the personal collection of the narrators, as well as from the contribution of Afroditi Anastopoulou, Nikoleta Tzirita-Zacharatou, Panagiotis Tzafos. Sound editing: Katerina Giannisi. Original music: Evangelos Tsimos, Konstantinos Mitrou, Spyridon Magoulas, Aliki Zografou. Narration: Spyridoula Geka, Katerina Giannisi, Konstantinos Mitrou, Alexandra Pappa, Emmanouela Korki. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 26΄
You are invited to a nostalgic journey - collage of audio narratives. Your luggage includes headphones and memories. The stories of others will guide you through familiar landscapes, while you relive your own moments. Affection, intimacy, longing. Can you recall that feeling?
Love One Another
Podcaster: Sofia Eirini Sopiadou. Production: Sofia Eirini Sopiadou. Sound engineering-Sound editing: Sofia Eirini Sopiadou. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 29΄
Jesus said to love one another, but in Orthodox Christianity that may not be the case. The Orthodox church seems to affect a big part of our daily lives and it even interferes with our sexuality. How do modern Greek women feel about this? In which way does religion influence their sexual expression?
Must-Watch for Parents: The Florida Project - Almost Disney World
Podcasters: Magda Dimou, Fotini Agorastoudi Vlachou. Script-Narration: Magda Dimou, Fotini Agorastoudi Vlachou. Sound engineering-Sound editing-Original music: Anastasia Yamouzi. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 22΄
In the podcast Must-Watch for Parents, films from Greek and international cinema that explore the complex parent-child relationship are recommended and serve as a basis for discussion. The aim is to watch movies and discuss how cinema as an art form sparks questions, encourages reflection, and turns the lens toward the viewer.
Nasruddin - Afghan Refugee
Podcasters: Stelios Zachariou, Thanasis Kapetanios. Production: Alkis Lagopoulos. Script: Stelios Zachariou. Sound engineering: Thanasis Kapetanios. Sound editing: Stelios Zachariou, Thanasis Kapetanios. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 20΄
In this episode we welcome the story of Nasruddin. Nasruddin is a refugee from Afghanistan who was forced to flee his country due to the war, in search of freedom.
Parallel Cities
Podcaster: Katerina Lakka. Script-Sound engineering-Sound editing-Narration: Katerina Lakka. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 25΄
A woman finds herself underground, in a place made up from all the parallel cities of the world, and she looks for her estranged best friend.
Route of Memories
Podcasters: Theodora Tsakiridi, George Kamtziridis. Script-Sound engineering-Narration: Theodora Tsakiridi. Sound editing-Original music: George Kamtziridis. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 23΄
An autobiographical glance, the preparation of a radio theater, the life of a substitute teacher who returns to her homeland due to a twist of fate. Perhaps the podcast is not composed solely of these elements. Perhaps its main ingredient is the desire for creation, mixed with a need for legacy and a love for children. In the end, what remains are some scattered thoughts, an empty room, and many children's smiles.
Sagittarius A*
Podcaster: Dimitris Roidis. Production: Dimitris Roidis. Script-Sound engineering-Sound editing-Original music-Narration: Dimitris Roidis. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 20΄
Α man embarks on a journey, like those directed by the brain in dreams. A sound narrative unfolds through free association, attempting to articulate the most difficult question a human mouth can utter. Sagittarius A*: the black hole at the center of the Galaxy.
Salutations
Podcaster: Dimos Vryzas. Production: AdhocArt Non-Profit Organization, Dimos Vryzas. Script-Sound engineering-Sound editing-Original music: Dimos Vryzas. Narration: Vasilis Tryfoulrsanis, Andromahi Fountoulidou, Fotis Stratigos. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 23΄
“How are you?” Three people meet and attempt to communicate with each other using their own expressive means and vocabulary. Based on the play of the same name by Eugene Ionesco, translated by Dimos Vryzas, the podcast Salutations deals with the desperate attempt of people to communicate.
Sigmund Freud - Acropolis, a life dream
Podcaster: Prodromos Tarasis. Script: Athena Androutsopoulou. Sound engineering-Sound editing: Aggelos Kontaxis. Original music: Giannis Delis. Narration-Research: Athena Androutsopoulou, Christos Korovilas, Prodromos Tarasis. Voice: Manos Zouras. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 22΄
Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis and first psycho-biographer, loved Greece and its mythology. His dream was to see the Acropolis, but something peculiar happened when he finally got there. Listen to our story, and join us in solving another psychobiography mystery in this special episode!
Stories of War
Podcasters: Panagiota Vagiou, Eleanna Papadokostaki. Production: Panagiota Vagiou, Eleanna Papadokostaki. Script-Narration: Panagiota Vagiou, Eleanna Papadokostaki. Sound editing: Yorgis Sarantinos. Sound editing: Yorgos Vavanos. Cover design: Menelaos Kouroudis. Research: Andreas Drimiotis. Content consultant: Lefteris Pitarakis. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 25΄
Aristotelis Sarrikostas is widely known for capturing the invasion of the tank at the Polytechnic in November 1973. However, as an Associated Press correspondent, he has also captured some of the most severe conflicts of the 20th century.
The Great Astrolabe
Podcaster: Manos Zouras. Script-Sound engineering-Sound editing-Narration: Manos Zouras. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 21΄
When the Great Astrolabe met Anton Chekhov. A storytelling podcast by Manos Zouras tackling Russian literature for the first time. The short story chosen is The Student. Because stories are stars made by their creators for future generations to find.
The Varangian Guard (Bite-sized History)
Podcaster: Apostolis-Markos Kostoulis. Script-Narration: Apostolis-Markos Kostoulis. Sound engineering: Konstantinos Tiganis. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 22΄
The history of the Varangian Guard, the bodyguards of the Byzantine emperor. Why were the Scandinavians so eager to come to our parts, why were they considered elite warriors and how they earned the nickname “the emperor's wine jugs”. Bite-sized History is a satirical show about world history.
Traces of Memory: Cyprus 1974-2024
Podcaster: Alex Fassois. Production: Ideogramma Amargi, Alex Fassois. Script-Sound engineering-Sound editing-Original music-Narration: Alex Fassois. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 26΄
The year 2024 marks the dark historical 50th anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus by the Turkish military forces in 1974. On the occasion of this painful historical event, of universal significance for the totality of Hellenism, we present a podcast of historical and narrative memory, which concerns the Cyprus issue.
Wednesday’s Dilemma
Podcasters: Nikos Bovolos, Thodoris Paganias. Script-Sound engineering-Sound editing: Nikos Bovolos, Thodoris Paganias. Language: Greek. Greece, 2024, 30΄
Thodoris from Sarantapozarousa and Nikos Bovolos present the podcast that will become your favorite but you don’t just know it yet! Each week they choose a dilemma and engage in an informal debate by presenting their arguments.
